Obamas have pizza for anniversary dinner; Romneys opt for pasta

By Matt Donnelly

Oct. 4, 2012 12 AM PT

Barack and Michelle Obama have two daughters, the most coveted address in the country and, as of Wednesday, 20 successful years of marriage under their belts. How did they celebrate?

A pizza party.

In Denver for the first presidential debate of the forthcoming election, the president, first lady and staff enjoyed some slices (a nice nod to the Obamas’ hometown of Chicago, famous for its deep-dish pizza).

“We are back stage in our hold room, Obama staff together eating pizza and fired up. 1 minute left,” Jim Messina, Obama’s campaign manager, tweeted.

INTERACTIVE | Predict a winner: Battleground states

The president and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney both admitted a debate wasn’t the ideal setting to celebrate the first couple’s milestone.

“I just want to wish, sweetie, you, a happy anniversary and let you know that a year from now we will not be celebrating this in front of 40 million people,” President Obama said.

QUIZ: Famous debate quotes

“I’m sure this is the most romantic place you could imagine,” Romney joked, “here with me.”

Speaking of the Republican nominee, he spent his pre-debate time with his wife, four of his sons and some of his grandchildren. The family ordered in tomato basil pasta and pulled pork sandwiches from the Cheesecake Factory.

In their own holding area at the University of Denver, where the debate was held, the Romneys enjoyed a game of Jenga before he took the stage with the president.

ALSO:

Obama thanks Jay-Z, praises Beyonce at exclusive NYC fundraiser

Obama praises Anne Hathaway, mingles with Sorkin, Jerry Springer

Obama rubs fundraising elbows with Harvey Weinstein, Gwyneth Paltrow , Anna Wintour

Follow Matt Donnelly on Twitter and Google+. Follow the Ministry of Gossip on Twitter @LATcelebs and on Facebook facebook.com/ministryofgossip.